A DAUGHTER last night spoke of her family's terrifying ordeal when two armed men forced them to the floor at gunpoint and robbed their home.

A DAUGHTER last night spoke of her family's terrifying ordeal when two armed men forced them to the floor at gunpoint and robbed their home.

The family of four feared for their lives as they were handcuffed by the gunmen who were demanding cash.

She feared her father, Hin Kwun Tsang, stopped breathing during the robbery as he suffered a panic attack when the thieves covered his head in a desperate bid to hide their identities.

Brave daughter 22-year-old Michelle protected her ageing parents by persuading the armed pair to take the daily takings from their shop and leave the family home.

The pair, who have not yet been caught, escaped with &#xA3;3,500, mostly in &#xA3;50 notes.

The attack has left the Tsang family traumatised and terrified to leave their home in Cardiff's suburbs or even answer their front door after dark.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the attack, a visibly frightened Michelle said, "We want to know who did this to us and find them so we can get on and enjoy Christmas."

South Wales Police last night said this was a terrifying but rare attack and took steps to reassure other families living in the area.

Detective Inspector Debbie Cooper said, "This was a rare incident and nothing like this has happened, to my knowledge, in 20 years of service with South Wales Police."

The two robbers struck the Tsang's semi-detached home in Llanrumney at about 6.30pm on Saturday, December 6.

"We had come home from work, I was upstairs and my parents were cooking tea in the kitchen when there was a knock at the door," said Michelle.

"My sister Lisa answered the door and I heard her scream. The men barged their way in as I came running down the stairs.

"They both had guns and were threatening us with them.

"We were all told to go into the living room where they made us lie on the floor with our heads facing down and we were told not to look at them," Michelle said.

The family were forced to the floor at gunpoint where the two men handcuffed them using three sets of professional-looking cuffs. The fourth pair of cuffs has been described by police as being of an inferior quality.

"They were rummaging around the house looking for valuables and cash to take," Michelle said yesterday.

"At that point there was not much in the house to take and I knew they weren't going to leave unless they found something.

"I remember seeing my mother's handbag in the hallway and I knew there would be some money in that so I told them to take it and go.

"My father, who is in his sixties, had a piece of clothing put over his head because they didn't want him looking at them.

"He was saying he couldn't breathe and I think he actually stopped breathing. I asked them if he could have medical attention.

"I was more concerned about my mother and father than anyone else. I didn't want any harm to come to them or my sister.

"I just wanted them out and would have given them anything to go. I think they would have hurt us, they were very aggressive and I knew if I didn't have anything to give them, something would have happened."

Michelle said the terrifying ordeal has left her family traumatised and fearful of a similar attack happening again.

She has not been out since the raid and will not even open her bedroom window.

"I couldn't believe it, I thought it was a nightmare," she added. "You always think that these things happen to other people, not to you or your family.

"I just hope these men are caught - no one should experience what we have been through."

South Wales Police last night renewed an appeal for help to identify the two men involved in the robbery.

They also revealed that the handbag taken was a medium- sized, soft black leather Jane Shilton bag.

And they are tracing the occupant of a dark coloured car which was seen in the area at the time of the incident.

DI Cooper added, "This was a terrifying and devastating attack on a family. They are still traumatised but are trying to get on with their lives.

"We are treating this as a serious incident and have a dedicated incident room set up.

"However we would like to reassure the public by confirming that this is a rare and unusual incident," DI Cooper said.